04, September 2016

Paving the way for Tamil Nadu to join the Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY) meant for achieving financial turnaround of power distribution companies in three years, the Centre has conceded one of the prime demands of the State that there should be no insistence on the quarterly revision of power tariff. Sources say the Centre has agreed in principle to the State’s demand and it has indicated to the State that the revision can even be annual.

Prior to joining the scheme, every State is required to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Centre. Now, the Union government has conveyed to Tamil Nadu that there is room for flexibility in the inclusion or exclusion of some aspects of the proposed MOU as the situation varies from State to State, the sources add.

What is Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY)?

UDAY provides for the financial turnaround and revival of Power Distribution companies (DISCOMs), and importantly also ensures a sustainable permanent solution to the problem. UDAY is a path breaking reform for realizing the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of affordable and accessible 24×7 Power for All.

Adopting UDAY is optional for States, but provides the fastest, most efficient and financially most feasible way for providing 24X7 Power for All. States accepting UDAY and performing as per operational milestones will be given additional / priority funding through Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY),Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS), Power Sector Development Fund (PSDF) or other such schemes of Ministry of Power and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

Northeast accounts for 42% of sedition cases

Source: The Hindu

The seven States of the northeast account for about 42 per cent of the total ‘offences against State’ registered in the country in 2015 according to the latest data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NRCB). Across the country, 147 cases were registered in 2015 of which 63 are from the seven northeast States. Assam recorded the highest.

Manipur tops UAPA cases

When it comes to cases registered under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), tiny Manipur accounts for a huge 60 per cent of UAPA cases.

What is NCRB?

An Indian government agency responsible for collecting and analyzing crime data as defined by the Indian Penal Code (IPC). HQ: New Delhi. NCRB is part of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India.

What is UAPA?

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) is a law aimed at effective prevention of unlawful activities associations in India. Its main objective is to make powers available for dealing with activities directed against the integrity and sovereignty of India.

INS Trikand hands over relief material to Madagascar:

Source: The Hindu

Navy frigate INS Trikand, which docked at a Madagascar port as part of a goodwill visit to East Africa and Southern Indian Ocean, has handed over relief material for those affected by the recent bush fires in that country.

India has in recent times emerged as a major player in providing disaster assistance to countries in the region, and, in line with that, storage of HADR ‘bricks’ on ships has now become a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and all operational ships carry it at all times.

INS Trikand:

INS Trikand is a Talwar-class frigate of the Indian Navy. Trikand is the third and final ship of the second batch of Talwar-class frigates ordered by the Indian Navy. Built by the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia. Trikand was commissioned to Indian Navy service on 29 June 2013.

U.S., China ratify Paris climate deal

Source: The Hindu

The United States and China formally joined the Paris climate deal. The move by the world’s two biggest polluters is a major step forward for the 180-nation accord, which sets ambitious goals for capping global warming and funneling trillions of dollars to poor countries facing climate catastrophe.

China is responsible for almost a quarter of the world’s emissions, with the U.S. in second place on around 15 per cent, so their participation is crucial. Till now, only 24 of the signatories had ratified the accord, including France and many island states threatened by rising sea levels but who only produce a tiny proportion of the world’s emissions.

Under the Paris accord, China has pledged to cut its carbon emissions per unit of GDP by 60-65 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030 and increase non-fossil fuel sources in primary energy consumption to about 20 per cent. In its Paris commitment, the U.S. promised to cut its own emissions 26-28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2025.

India:

India has said it will not be able to commit to ratifying the Paris Agreement before the end of 2016, despite pressure from both the United States of America and China. “We have sought flexibility. Yes, we are committed to ratifying it, but cannot complete the domestic procedures by 2016-end,” Arvind Panagariya.

The agreement goes into force when joined by at least 55 nations that produce a total of 55 percent of global emissions.

Under the Paris Agreement, countries are required to set national targets for reducing or reining in their greenhouse gas emissions. Those targets aren’t legally binding, but countries must report on their progress and update their targets every five years. The first cycle begins in 2020. Only developed countries are expected to slash their emissions in absolute terms. Developing nations are “encouraged” to do so as their capabilities evolve over time.

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